NB-52B "Balls 8"

Artifact — Date: 2019 | Photo by: Chris Griffith

The Boeing NB-52B Stratofortress mothership is now on display outside the north gate of Edwards Air Force Base, just off Highway 58 between Mojave and Boron.

This B-52 was the NASA launch vehicle for many programs, including the X-15, Pegasus, and the HL-10 lifting body. Never officially a NASA vehicle, it remained the property of the U.S. Air Force until it retired on December 17, 2004. Its starboard side contains the launch pylon used for many vehicles, and painted icons indicate the many missions it has accomplished. Although it was the oldest flying B-52 at retirement, it had the lowest number of flying hours (2443.8 hrs.), only being used for experimental or test flights.

Type: B-52
Kind: Launch Vehicle
Vehicle: NB-52B
Flight: 52-0008 "Balls 8"
Location: North Gate, Edwards Air Force Base, California